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Rowing Bled hosted the European Championship for the second time

And after almost seven decades, the European Championships returned to Bled in 2023. 

Bled, the rowing centre of Slovenia

With its iconic lake and island, Bled charms everyone who visits this beautiful part of Slovenia in the embrace of the peaks of the Julian Alps. A ride on Lake Bled in a traditional pletna boat is definitely on the list of top things to do in this Slovenian Alpine pearl. 

EP v veslanju_regata

 

In addition to the pletna, you will also see rowing boats on the lake. Bled is the centre of Slovenian rowing with more than a 100 years of tradition. Many successful Slovenian rowers have started their rowing career here and later went on to winning medals at the highest level of competition, including the Olympic Games. And the best rowers in Europe and the world have also come to Slovenia many times.

Bled has hosted the World Championships four times and the World Rowing Cup regattas twice. It has been the venue for high-level junior and veteran competitions. In 2017, for example, it hosted the World Rowing Masters Regatta for the third time, with almost 5,000 competitors from all over the world! The first major international competition was the European Championships in 1956. And after almost seven decades, the European Championships returned to Bled once again.

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European Rowing Championship in numbers 

Bled offered an exceptional backdrop for its second European Rowing Championship. The exciting crew races added to the excitement, attracting many spectators to the venue as well as media attention. Here are some interesting facts about the championship. 

Number of participants
more than 1,500
Number of countries
34
Stadium attendance
8,000
Number of media representatives
188
Number of TV spectators around the world
16.2 million

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EP v veslanju Bled_reprezentanca Slovenije

Who were we rooting for?

Everyone has their favourites at the European Championship. Germany (18) and Great Britain (17) had the most crews in Bled, and with five European titles, three silver and two bronze medals, Great Britain was the most successful country at the championships. Romania and the Netherlands were also among the top medal winners.

Slovenia had four crews at the home championships. The most successful was Rajko Hrvat in the lightweight single sculls, ending the race in fourth position, while Nina Kostanjšek and Filip-Matej Pfeifer raced in the single sculls, and Nik Krebs and Jaka Čas in the double sculls. 

Nina Kostanjšek

women’s single sculls

Filip-Matej Pfeifer

men’s single sculls

Rajko Hrvat

men’s lightweight single sculls

Nik Krebs, Jaka Čas

men’s double sculls

 

Bled – an image of paradise

Bled is one of Slovenia’s greatest attractions, drawing visitors from all over the world with its iconic sights of Lake Bled with its island and castle on top of a cliff. This Alpine pearl is flanked by the mighty peaks of the Julian Alps on one side and the Karavanke Mountains on the other. Its soothing climate also captivated the Swiss healer Arnold Rikli, who is considered the pioneer of tourism in Bled. Today, there is something for everyone here – plenty of active experiences in the town and its surroundings, gourmet delights in selected restaurants, and relaxing moments in wellness centres, which use the water from the lake’s thermal springs.

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Discover Bled Rowing Centre, the venue of the European Championships

Did you know that Lake Bled is the right length for a rowing race? Between the centre and Zaka, it is a good 2 km long. It is also considered one of the most fair and beautiful rowing venues. The modern rowing centre is suitable for major rowing and other water sports competitions and is also becoming an increasingly popular destination for rowers getting ready for the next season. It is also the main part of the Bled-Radovljica Olympic Sports Centre, which offers top conditions for water sports; in addition to rowing, it is also a venue for long-distance swimming and for calm water kayaking and canoeing.

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EP v veslanju_trajnost

Superior and sustainable

Bled’s natural and cultural assets also dictate the care and responsibility to preserve these gems. Bled is committed to sustainable development, as evidenced by the Slovenia Green Destination Gold label.

And it is in this spirit that the organisation of the European Rowing Championship has also thought "green". Here are some of the steps that have been taken to run the competition:

Drinking water stations by the lake encouraged participants and visitors to use reusable bottles.

Use of electric vehicles for transport to the competition venue

Restriction of traffic and parking in the immediate vicinity of the lake

Encouraging the use of bicycles, including rental, and arriving at the venue on foot

1/3 of all accompanying safety boats are electric

Involvement of local suppliers and the local community in the staging of the Championships.

Active in Bled and its surroundings

Bled’s location offers excellent starting points for a variety of sporting activities. Especially on warmer days, you will be drawn to activities on and by the water, perhaps get some adrenaline pumping or enjoy a relaxing round of golf. Bled is also a good starting point for hiking tours.

Water adventures on the lake and the surrounding rivers

Find refreshment in the summer in the organised baths along Lake Bled, with Grajsko kopališče (“Castle Bathing Area”) standing out. Rent a boat from several spots around the lake and row on the lake. Go rafting or kayaking on the Sava Dolinka and Sava Bohinjka rivers. Lake Bled and the surrounding rivers are also an ideal destination for fishing. In the winter, when the lake freezes over, you can ice-skate or walk up to the island.

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Water activities in Slovenia

Slovenia is rich in natural water resources. That is why you have a thousand and one reasons to go on water adventures. Relax on calm waters or get your adrenaline pumping on river rapids.

Top water activities

Slovenian waters are amazing and perfect for active experiences. The crystal clear waters will make you want to enjoy all kinds of experiences. Rivers, lakes and the sea are perfect for rowing, swimming, fishing and other adventures that will thrill and refresh you.

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